Lives of the First World War

WAR DIARY 2nd Battalion The Monmouthshire Regiment. April / May 1915 During month of April – No event of importance took place in the Battalion. The Battalion was in the Trenches and continued to be relieved by Essex Regiment every alternative four days. On 28th while Battalion was in Trenches it received orders that it would be relieved that night by Worcester Regiment T.F (Territorial Force) and march to BAILLEUL. The Battalion arrived at BAILLEUL at about 3 am on 29th a march of 12 miles. No man fell out which was an extremely good performance, as Battalion had been in Trenches for over six months without doing any marching. On 30th at 8 am 12th Brigade of which Battalion still form, was ordered to march to VLAMTINGHE which it reached about 1pm and bivouacked until 7.30 pm. The march was then continued to a point 3 miles due west of VLAMTINGHE which it reached at midnight. Here the Battalion again came under the enemy’s shell fire and immediately dug itself into shell trenches – only three men fell out on march of 14 miles but reformed the same evening. On 1st May the Battalion crossed the YSER CANAL at 11pm and took up position in Divisional Reserve at LA BRIQUE which was about 2000 yards from enemy’s firing line. Here again the Battalion dug into shell trenches. Soon after daybreak on 2nd the Battalion came under the heaviest shell fire it had had to date. At 5pm same day under cover of a terrific bombardment and the use of asphyxiating gas the enemy attempted to advance. The part of the line held by the Essex Regiment was partially evacuated – defenders being overcome by the fumes, but gallantry retained against occupation by enemy by a few men who remained in front trench and by supports who immediately ran forward. Reinforcements being asked for, 3 Platoons of ‘C’ Company and 3 Platoons of ‘B’ Company were ordered to advance. Before ‘B’ Company had moved it was ordered to stand fast. ‘C’ Company under Corporal Bowen advanced in extremely good order under a terrific shell fire and reached ESSEX REGIMENT 2nd line trench where they remained in support. ESSEX REGIMENT having regained its own line of trenches. At about 7 pm ‘B’ Company sent 2 platoons to reinforce ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT. The action ended at about 10 pm, No trenches being lost and the enemy losing heavily. The Battalion casualties were 2 Officers killed (Lieut A.E FRASER & 2 Lieut REED) One Officer Wounded (2 Lieut S.R Hockaday) Other ranks 5 Killed, 22 wounded, 4 missing and 40 men gassed who were incapable of doing duty. The asphyxiating gas was believed to be Chlorine. After this action the Battalion received the following wire for G.O.C in C. ‘Please convey my congratulations to the 10th, 11th and 12th Brigades on their gallant and brilliant repulse of the enemy. *

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